Lewisham’s new Local Plan
How this could affect Sydenham Road
| Question: Why should I be interested in Lewisham’s new Local Plan? Answer: Because it could mean the shutting down of some of Sydenham’s best businesses including The Dolphin. The council is preparing a new Local Plan, which will help shape decisions about planning, transport and investment in the borough for the next 20 years. To look at all the background information, and to have your say, go to: lewishamlocalplan.commonplace.is 1. Vitally important in the Local Plan is how you categorise or “zone” local areas of the high street. 2. Lewisham’s future Local Plan intends to zone a large chunk east of the junction with Mayow Road and Sydenham Road and give it a “dual use” capability – to continue as a commercial business or be turned over to housing. 3. This would give the owners of the sites the choice on whether to continue renting to existing businesses (the Audi garage or The Dolphin, for example) or to turn it into a site with 168 residential units. 4. The area to be designated is shown above. It includes the Audi Garage, The Dolphin, Enterprise Car and Van Hire, Stephen Mears Funeral Director, Pizza A Go Go, the Fish and Chip shop, the Scope charity shop and Sydenham Kebab. All of these are strong viable businesses. The temptation for the owner of the land under these conditions is to grab the money for housing and shut down viable local businesses, many of whom have operated successfully from this site for decades. As part of the consultation process, the following online sessions have been organised: Tuesday 16th February 5.30pm-7pm, Green Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability · Wednesday 17th February 5.30pm-7pm, Housing · Tuesday 23rd February 5.30pm-7pm, Infrastructure (Community/Transport) All sessions will take place online. For details of how to register go to: lewishamlocalplan.commonplace.is/proposals/online-events The closing date for comments is 11 April 2021. |